The wife of a Mdantsane magistrate who died last year after reacting to dust, droppings and feathers caused by pigeons in court is suing the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development for his death. Amalinda resident Nompumelelo Sawuti, 44, is suing the department for a little over R2-million for loss of support as a result of the death of her husband, magistrate Council Sawuti, 59. Sawuti died last August and in court papers filed in December the cause of death was said to be “hypersensitivity pneumonitis secondary to exposure to pigeons”. Sawuti worked as a magistrate at the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court, which was battling a feral pigeon infestation. The illness affects the lungs and is caused by inhaling organic dust. Wikipedia reports that sufferers are commonly exposed to the dust due to their occupations or hobbies. Summons were issued to the office of the minister in November last year by East London law firm Drake Flemmer and Orsmond. Last week the office of the state attorney in Pretoria responded to the summons saying the matter had been referred to the state attorney’s office in East London. The minister is being sued in his capacity as the employer of magistrates. He...
↧